The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-10-19

of so much account TO you draw cuts"
They did so. and Cristoph was the lucky |
one. While they were settling the matter
Katie looked on with apparent in
difference, but her heart beat fast under |
her bodice, and when it was decided she |
almost unconsciously smiled with evil |
dent pleasure. Lars saw il, and from |
that day jealousy began to take root |
deeper and deeper in his heart, and there
was no lack Of occasion to develop it. |
Margrit Hermensen, Katie's best friend,
went to the altar to plight her faith.
Katie was chosen to carry the wreath,
accompanied by Cristoph. When Lars
heard of it he opposed it vehemently.
Both young men grew violent, and
only Katie's presence of mind in declar-
ing she did not wish to go to the we'd
ding prevented perhaps the very worst
outbreak of Lars's passionate storm of
anger. After that the two avoided each
other as much as possible, but sought to
be with Katie. Each knew that the 9th
er loved the girl, and both felt secretly
conscious to whom Katie's heart inclined.
Cristoph, the calmer and more self pos
sessed, felt a silent, blissful happiness
taking possession of his heart when the
girl looked at him with her blue eyes so
sweetly and kindly. Lars, more vehem-
ment, believed at times that Katie loved
him, her manner vas so cordial. But,
again, when he saw her with Cristoph,
voice within him told him that he was
not the favored one, and he suffered bit
ter torment. SO it had gone on till the
evening when the young fishermen re-
turned together from the shore.
Cristoph's heart beat fast at the quiet,
peaceful scene in old Mason's cottage,
and it drew him back with irresistible
power TO leave a greeting for the loved
one. But after he had entered the hall,
in his effort to close the door, so violently
flung open by the storm, he suddenly be-
came conscious of Katie in his arms. And
while it ragged and stormed without he
kissed her, and in wild happiness, he
whispered: "Katie, do you love mel"
She did not answer, but her lips pressed
his
The next morning Lars stood on the
shore mending his boat, when Rob Steffel
came by.
''You are early, though you came home
late. Were you with your sweetheart2'
Lars looked at him. red with anger.
He struck the wood with his axe, and
the chips flew far around.
"Hohon continued the other, "you
did not have good luck, it seems"
"Keep still" cried Lars. "What is it
to you whether have good luck or notl"
Rob Steffel stepped nearer "You are
unjust to me-" he said. "a big fellow
like you should not take it so meekiy.
Cristoph has plainly taken the fish away
from YOU"
Lars made no answer, but his hand
clasped the axe convulsively. "You and
/ have no love for Cristoph," continued
Rob; ''let us join together against him, "
and he held out his hand.
II want nothing to do with you" re-
piled Lars, and turned away, resuming
his work.
Rob Steffel laughed scornfully, and
went away, but the sting that his words
contained remained in Lars's breast.
When the other was out of sight he flung
down his axe, and went back to the
village. Slowly, with downcast head,
he walked. Before the house of old
Mason he paused then with a sudden
resolution he entered. But, as if bound,
he stood in the doorway-in the room
stood Katie tenderly embraced by
Cristoph. A painful silence prevailed
for moment, then Cristoph stepped to-
ward Lars, put out his hand, and said
"Katie is my betrothed since last even
ing. | intended to come directly to you
and tell you"
He did not answer, only bitter smile
qulvered on his lips. 1t was excessively
] FL L., r,.l Che falt xxrhaf a
blow she had given him, though blame
less herself. She longed to say some
thing to him, but could not find the
right word. So she only looked at hin
and, without speaking, held out hel
hand to him, but he turned away and
left the house.
Toward noon the shore was alive with
men. The sea cleaned in the sunshine
again, the waves played gently, and {
soft wind was blowing. The day wa.
favorable for large haul. All the fisher
men of the village were gathered to
} gether, the nets and oars were put int
the boats, the sails spread wide, and thu
: little fleet sailed far out into the broad
beautiful sea. Katie stood on the short
sending greetings to her sweetheart a
long as his boat was in sight. Then sh,
: went home, smiling happily to herself
, She had much to do. After she hac
, seen to her old father, who sat quietly il
, his chair and smoked a short pipe, sht
| went about her work. How it flew
/ under her hands to-day, though fire.
} quently she stopped, gazing down, los
in sweet dreams Then she worked 81
t much the faster again. SO hour afte
. hour flew by unheeded. At last tn
DAYS task was ended, and Katie went t,
the door. But the weather had changed
: the sun had disappeared behind thicl
t clouds, and the sky hung in gray fold
$ over the sea. The fishermen also haC
r finished their work. Their rich boot
G lay in the boats, promising fine rewar'
for their hard labor. But in the east i
was black and threatening. They mus
l reach home before the storm came on. Th
little sails spread out, the ships flew owe
$ the water, causing the foam to breal
T over the deep dipping sides. Then cam
y the first blow strong against the sails
r the loaded boats threatened to upset
G The men were forced to take in sails
r and trust wholly to the oars. 1t grey
n dark. and the sea lifted itself restlessl
r into huge, farrolling waves. Then tn
o storm broke loose with wild force;
i howled and lashed the sea till it reare
t in short, foam-capped waves. The me
i rowed with all their might; the shOT